Having operated an autonomous buying system for its nine UK stores, Fenwick switched to centralised buying on September 1 in an attempt to “modernise and reorganise the business.” Adam Barber has been appointed as the buyer for gifts, and Kieran McBride has been appointed as the buyer director for Home.
Jenni Taylor, the former card buyer for Fenwick’s Bentalls and Bracknell stores said she was very sad to be leaving the department store group, having worked there for the past 17 years, but added that she is delighted to have joined Greats 2018 award winning gift shop Alligator Pear, based in Tadworth, as buying manager.
Jenni told GiftsandHome.net: “I’m excited to be going to an independent business where I will have an opportunity to buy across many categories and brands that I haven’t had exposure to before.”
The decision to move to centralised buying has affected management, shop floor and support staff, with 400 jobs lost. In the year to January 26, Fenwick reported a 93% fall in pre-tax profit.
Fenwick, founded by John Fenwick, first opened its doors in Newcastle in 1882. Last year, the company appointed a new chairman, Richard Pennycook, formerly with the Co-operative Group, who was tasked with the remit of carrying out a review of the business.
In addition to streamlining its buying operation, Fenwick is also planning to launch a website this Autumn enabling online shopping for the first time.
Department stores in the Fenwick group are based in Newcastle, London’s Bond Street, Bracknell, Brent Cross, Canterbury, Colchester, Kingston, Tunbridge Wells and York.
Top: Fenwick has moved to central buying. Shown is the new store in Bracknell.
